White Night

Chapter 7

Connors turned away from Grinair to see Dr. Janey Walker moving through the crime scene with the animated efficiency of a combine harvester through a field of wheat, mowing down incompetence in her path and barking reminders for CSU to check for evidence that they had an obscure chance of finding at best.

With Janey, nothing would be missed at this crime scene, including the fact that Connors had a new partner and an altered gait. It was why she held back from approaching the M.E. until the last possible moment, that and Janey's razor tongue. But she couldn't wait much longer without making her reluctance obvious to Janey, and she'd break her other leg before she gave her that satisfaction.

"Two GSWs. Wondered when you were going to pay me a visit, Detective Connors," Janey said as she scribbled notes into her book.

"Just giving you time to get set up, Janey," she replied wearily.

"This Detective Ross?"

Connors nodded as Ross smiled at Janey, who didn't look up from her notes.

"As I said, cause of death was at least two GSWs. One through the neck and another, obviously, through the head."

"Any idea on the caliber?" Connors asked.

"Small caliber, likely a .22 or a 9 mm. It appears he was moving toward his shooter; there's a trail of blood that dragged on the ground a few inches like he was in motion."

"Anything else?"

"Both wounds appear to be through and throughs."

Connors had guessed the same from the amount of blood and the size of the wound in the back of the victim's head.

Banner appeared. "CSU found two bullets, but they both struck the brick building and are mangled. Unlikely to get ballistics from those. They're still searching in case there are more."

"Thanks, Banner," Connors responded.

"Yes, thank you, Detective Banner. Care to tell me the time of death?" Janey snarled.

"Nope, that's your domain." He grinned, leaving Janey fuming at his interruption.

"You know time of death already?" Connors asked.

"Not yet, but give me time to open my bag and check lividity and I will."

"Okay, thanks, Janey." Connors sighed and turned to leave.

"Wait, there is something else."

"What?"

"Another interesting subject."

"Another body?"

"Yes, but this one's moving. Looks like a female detective in her thirties, walking with an altered gait, probably from a recent lateral tibial plateau fracture. Within the last twelve months, I would guess, but could probably narrow that down to eleven months."

Connors felt the blood race to her cheeks as a lump swelled in her throat.

Damn it, Janey...right in front of Ross...

Her blood grew hot. She looked at Ross, but he'd already turned away and was staring intently at the building behind them. His discretion was wasted; everyone in a ten-foot radius had heard Janey's "joke."

It didn't matter how difficult or brilliant Janey was, Connors wasn't taking this shit in front of her colleagues.

"Dr. Walker, what the hell do you—"